As part of your estate planning strategy, it is good to include advance care planning. That way, your loved ones know how to take care of you and your health should you ever become incapacitated and unable to voice your desires.
The National Institutes of Health breaks down all necessary items to include in the advance care planning portion of your estate. Should you ever end up impaired in a Florida medical facility, let your friends and family know your medical wishes.
DNR orders
If you stop breathing or your heart stops beating, medical professionals have an obligation to resuscitate you. Maybe you would rather not have health care professionals revive you. A Do Not Resuscitate order lets doctors and nurses know how to proceed.
On a related note, perhaps you would rather not live on a breathing machine if your body cannot breathe on its own. Note whether you have a DNR order or an Allow Natural Death order.
MOLST and POLST forms
You can work with a physician, nurse or medical assistant to decide on your health care preferences, known as Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment or Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. MOLST and POLST forms are specific to medical professionals so they instantly know what to do in the case of a medical emergency.
Tissue and organ donation
Would you like to donate your organs and tissues to those who need them after you pass? If so, and if you have a DNR order, it is best to indicate if you would rather medical professionals to use machines to keep your body alive and your organs viable until removal.
This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.